Township 7 winemaker Mary McDermott
The latest releases from Township 7 Vineyards & Winery provide into three different vintages: the outstanding 2022 and 2025 vintages and the less-heralded, but not to be overlooked 2023 vintage.
The winery calls 2022 a year of extremes. “The weather was unpredictable, with an unusually cool spring (one of the coolest springs ever on record in the Okanagan), followed by a remarkably warm autumn,” the winery writes. “… By fall harvest, the fruit was in excellent condition with good acidity and balance, and higher yields than in the previous three years.” The result: “one of the best vintages in recent decades.”
The 2023 vintage “continued the trend of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns,” the winery writes. A cold snap in December, 2022, caused severe damage in the vineyards, reducing the 2023 yields by 40% to 50%. During the season, the vineyard team dealt with disease pressures in the spring, extreme heat and wildfire smoke in the summer, with an early harvest. But the winery reports: “The resulting wines achieved full ripeness … Although smaller than previous vintages, the 2023 vintage will be one to savour.”
There was no Okanagan vintage of consequence in 2024 due to devasting winter frost. The winery had to replant eight acres of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc at its Blue Terrace Vineyard.
“The 2025 growing season brought a welcome rebound,” the winery writes. “Fruit quality was excellent, and yields surpassed our early expectations. … By season’s end, yields matched our largest harvest on record, marking a remarkable recovery for the vineyards.”
Winemaker Mary McDermott offers a comment on 2026’s encouraging start. “We are relieved to report that winter has been relatively mild in the Okanagan, with healthy looking buds and encouraging conditions in the vineyard so far,” she wrote in early April.
Here are notes on the wines.
b>Township 7 Provenance Series Sauvignon Blanc 2025 ($26.97 for 750 cases). The fruit is from the winery’s Blue Terrace Vineyard at Oliver. The largest portion was fermented cool in stainless steel while a smaller portion was fermented at higher temperatures in barrel. This added more texture without taking away from the vibrant flavours. The wine begins with aromas of lime that mingle with stone fruit on the palate. There is a lovely mineral backbone. 91.
Township 7 Provenance Series Pinot Gris 2025 ($26.97 for 730 cases). This wine is made with Naramata Bench fruit, fermented cool in stainless steel. The wine has aromas and flavours of pear and peach. The palate is fleshy; yet the finish is bright. 92.
Township 7 Benchmark Series Riesling 2023 ($29.97 for 145 cases). The fruit is from the Fool’s Gold Vineyard at Oliver. The juice was fermented cool and primarily in concrete, with a small portion in stainless steel. This is an elegant Riesling, with aromas and flavours of citrus and green apple. Just a hint of petrol emerges. 93.
Township 7 Benchmark Series Gewürztraminer 2025 ($29.97 for 136 cases). This is a serious dry Gewürztraminer made with Naramata Bench fruit. Equal parts of the juice were fermented in stainless steel (cool) and in neutral oak barrels (warmer). The wine has classic aromas of lychee leading to flavours of orange peel and ginger. The finish lingers. 90.
Township 7 Benchmark Series Reserve 7 2022 ($44.97 for 499 cases). This is a blend of 56% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc, from the Blue Terrace Vineyard near Oliver and the Raju Vineyard near Osoyoos. The wine was aged 24 months in barrel (62% French oak, of which 10% was new, and 38% American). This wine reflects a great vintage. It begins with aromas of cassis and black cherry leading to bold flavours of black currant, dark cherry mingled with chocolate and tobacco. The finish is long. 95.
Township 7 Benchmark Series NBO 2022 ($44.97 for 455 cases). This is a blend of 55.9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44.1% Merlot; both from the winery’s Blue Terrace vineyard near Oliver. The wine was aged 24 months in barrel (70% French, 30% American and 15% new). The wine is rich, with aromas of dark fruits mingled with chocolate. On the palate, there are flavours of black cherry, red currant, coffee and chocolate. 92.
